582 Report on the Farm-Prize Competition o/* 1874. 



Cake and corn consumed from October 1st, 1872, to September 

 30th, 1873, 560/. 17^. M. 



Artificial manures for same time, 14Z. 175. 



Amount of stock bought, 35/. 7^. 



The present house and the buildings adjoining were erected 

 by the Duke of Bedford, about fourteen years ago at considerable 

 cost, and are replete with every comfort and convenience. As 

 regards the plan and construction, they are most excellent, but 

 the cost of such buildings would unfortunately place them 

 beyond the means of smaller proprietors. 



In addition to the above there is accommodation for several 

 head of cattle, at some premises constructed principally of wood 

 on another part of the farm. 



There are several good cottages on this farm, but they are not 

 under the control of the tenant. 



To sum up, we may describe the system pursued in the 

 management of the arable land, as the ordinary four-course 

 system, well carried out. We are, however, inclined to think 

 that it is a mistake not to put on the manure in the autumn on 

 tlie strong land where roots are grown. 



It will be observed that a very small quantity of artificial 

 manure is used, but from the amount of corn and cake consumed 

 and the abundance of straw, the farmyard manure is both plen- 

 tiful and of good quality ; and from the crops we saw growing 

 any further outlay would seem unnecessary. 



The root crops this year are certainly not up to the mark, but 

 we had to make great allowance for the unfavourable season and 

 the unfortunate strike which happened at the most critical time. 



The whole of the stock is uniformly good, especially the 

 cattle, andj with the exception of a few pigs, all bred on the 

 farm ; and great praise is due to Mr. Crouch for the excellent 

 manner in which they are managed. 



The peculiarity of Mr. Crouch's system of having nearly all 

 the work done by the day would, under ordinary circumstances, 

 seem to be a mistake ; but, from his unremitting attention to 

 business, the work is no doubt better done, and at probably a 

 cheaper rate than if done by the piece. 



Specially Commended Fakm. 



Mr. Charles Howard has three farms in his occupation. The 

 smallest of the three, called the Priory, consists of 85 acres of 

 arable land, and is the property of the Rev. W. T. Beckett, 

 Ingoldesthorpe Rectory. It lies so near the town of Bedford, 

 that the buildings, comprising a large old-fashioned barn and 

 two cattle-yards, are almost in the town itself. 



